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4.49 AVERAGE
4.49 AVERAGE
Very powerful historical fiction story set in the 1930s. I love the four different stories woven together. Interesting commentary on how bad things are between Russia and Ukraine.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This multifaceted historical fiction novel is part tragedy and part mystery that will have the reader both smiling and weeping by the end.
Matthew, a tween during COVID-19 lockdown, is more lonely than most. His father is a journalist who has been sent on work to Paris, and now cannot return home due to travel restrictions. Matthew’s mother has moved his ailing GG into the house to protect her from getting sick. This means Matthew isn’t allowed to talk to his friends, not even outside. When Matthew gets himself grounded and his device is taken away, his mother has him spend the new free time helping GG sort out her boxes of belongings.
With journalism in his blood, it isn’t long until Matthew is piecing together the secrets of 1930s Ukrainian children of Stalin’s regime and the immigrant extended family here in the USA. Mila, a child of privilege for a time, one day encounters a starving child who claims to be her cousin. At this discovery Mila’s life changes and her eyes are opened to the famine that Stalin’s Russia is trying to cover up. Similarly, Helen is living in Brooklyn and will soon hatch a plan to save her starving family member.
This book was full of twists, turns, and tears. Perfect for middle or high school. Lots of ties to propoganda, journaling, journalism, resistance, and immigration from Russia.
I read The Lost Year for a 2025 Intermediate Battle of the Books selection.
What I love most about reading with my kid for Battle of the Books is the provided foundation by which to talk to him about serious topics, because at least one selection each year has proven to be an emotional load. An added benefit to that connection, and discussions of, are learning about history and experiences myself. I had no idea about the Holodomor, and have told so many about it since picking up this book. A reminder that certain parts of history aren't normally taught in this part of the world.
The Lost Year is the story of Matthew, a 13 year old boy grounded from his Nintendo Switch, who has been tasked with helping his great grandmother, GG, unpack her boxes after she was unwillingly moved from her retirement home into a house with her granddaughter. It takes place in 2020, during the worst of Covid, when it took over the world, and we were all (well, mostly all) social distancing. She begins to recall her own lost year at 13, one that she experienced in 1933, that ultimately brought her to the United States, a weaponized famine used as a tool of genocide that tore her world apart, and cost her the ones she loved.
I would highly recommend parents reading this book with their kids, because it is an emotionally deep hit, and for context I think it's best to experience it along with them. The book brought both my son and me to tears.
What I love most about reading with my kid for Battle of the Books is the provided foundation by which to talk to him about serious topics, because at least one selection each year has proven to be an emotional load. An added benefit to that connection, and discussions of, are learning about history and experiences myself. I had no idea about the Holodomor, and have told so many about it since picking up this book. A reminder that certain parts of history aren't normally taught in this part of the world.
The Lost Year is the story of Matthew, a 13 year old boy grounded from his Nintendo Switch, who has been tasked with helping his great grandmother, GG, unpack her boxes after she was unwillingly moved from her retirement home into a house with her granddaughter. It takes place in 2020, during the worst of Covid, when it took over the world, and we were all (well, mostly all) social distancing. She begins to recall her own lost year at 13, one that she experienced in 1933, that ultimately brought her to the United States, a weaponized famine used as a tool of genocide that tore her world apart, and cost her the ones she loved.
I would highly recommend parents reading this book with their kids, because it is an emotionally deep hit, and for context I think it's best to experience it along with them. The book brought both my son and me to tears.
Fantastic historical fiction novel about the famine (Holodomor) in Ukraine caused by the Communist rule of Stalin. The differing points of view between the three cousins as well as the great great grandson of 2020 will surely keep the attention of all kids as they read this wonderful book.
The authors note is an important read to hear her connection to the Holodomor as well.
The authors note is an important read to hear her connection to the Holodomor as well.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Excellent upper middle grade historical fiction. Three perspectives, two in 1932 Ukraine and NYC, and one in 2020 pandemic lockdown. Matthew learns about his grandmother's early years surviving the 1932-33 famine in the Ukraine. I had no idea that Stalin and his government starved 4 million people in the Ukraine. This book was really well done. Heavy, but so very good. The author drew from her family history, which made the story even more powerful.
Read with my teenage son who loves history...I enjoyed learning about history this way as it is well written with interesting characters who help the story come alive. There is a nice author's note at the end to help know what is history and fiction. It weaves in parallels to times when COVID precautions were occurring for the most modern character in the story. This adds to the overall story as you see different teenagers' perspectives and layers of what it means to have plenty, taking it for granted, or enduring for survival.
If you're looking for a feel good book, this isn't it. Told from multiple POV, this covers both the famine in the USSR (Holodomor) and the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA, from a middle grade perspective. Powerful themes of storytelling and the power of propaganda/ fake news vs the rights of free speech and honest journalism.